Scrooged (1988): Dir: Richard Donner / Cast: Bill Murray, Karen Allen, Bob Goldthwait, John Forsythe, Carol Kane: A parody of the Charles Dickens classic with a modern take on the tale. Bill Murray plays Frank Cross, a cynical program executive who is the modern day Scrooge. He objects to his secretary taking time off to deal with his son's inability to speak. He fires someone on Christmas eve. Plus he is making everybody's life miserable on the set of the Charles Dickens play that he is producing. Bill Murray is hysterical as Cross who believes that he is going crazy during a long night of interruptions by three ghosts that showcases scenes from his life from past, present and future. Cross is humbled in humorous fashion until a third act where everything goes way over the top. Karen Allen plays a former girlfriend who lends her services to a homeless shelter. Through flashbacks Cross is reintroduced to their first encounter through their budding relationship until pride divides them. Bob Goldthwait plays a fired employee whose drunken spree goes into overdrive of singing carols and brandishing a shotgun. John Forsythe plays Cross's ghostly boss who returns to give him a warning. Carol Kane is delightful as the ghost of Christmas present who cheerfully smacks sense in Cross. While its humour is too crass for younger viewers, its satire view of the classic tale is a well produced holiday laugh fest. Score: 8 / 10
Review of Scrooged
